Edgar Griswold, father of Seth N. Griswold, was born in Addison county, Vermont, January 2, 1820, and was therefore a lad of but ten or eleven years when he accompanied his father on his emigration from New England to the middle west. Here he was reared upon the old family homestead near White Hall and assisted in the arduous task of developing and improving his land. He continued to aid his father in the cultivation of the home place until twenty years of age, when he was married and began farming on his own account, locating near Greenfield. There he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he tilled for five years and on the expiration of that period he traded his farm for that owned by his brother Edwin and returned to the old homestead, upon which he lived for several years. Later he took up his abode in Macoupin county, Illinois, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, living thereon for two years, after which he again sold his property and returned to the old homestead, whereon he remained until October, 1890. In 1868 he took a trip to the far west, accompanied by his brother-in-law, John North. They went first to New York, whence they sailed for the Panama and after crossing the isthmus they again took passage on a vessel, which landed them at San Francisco. They visited Sacramento and places of interest in the golden state and made the return trip overland, traveling eight hundred miles by stage. Mr. Griswold then resumed his farming operations, which he conducted with considerable profit, accumulating a handsome property. At the time of his death he owned seven hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable farming land in central Illinois, four hundred and eighty acres of this being in Christian county. On the 12th of March, 1840, he married Miss Lucy North, who was born near White Hall, March 12, 1820, and was a daughter of Asa and Prudence North. They became the parents of eleven children, seven of whom lived until 1890. These were Perry, Seth, Mrs. Ellen Bolton, Sulvan, Damon, Carrie and Edward. The father was a Mason of White Hall and was well known in Greene county as a pioneer settler. He took an active interest in agricultural affairs, endorsing every measure which he believed would promote the best interests of the agricultural class and being especially active as a member of the Grange. In all his business transactions he was found thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising and he was respected and honored by all who knew him. He continued to reside upon the old homestead until 1890, when he removed to White Hall, where he resided until his death, which occurred July 18, 1892, and thus the community lost one of its worthy settlers who had borne a helpful part in the work of general progress and improvement in Greene county.
Seth N. Griswold, born in Greene county, January 16, 1843, was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads and in the public schools acquired his education. At the age of twenty-one years he responded to the call of his country for aid, enlisting as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Volunteer Infantry for one hundred days' service. He was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, in 1864. Entering upon the active duties of life he followed the occupation to which he was reared and for a long period was known as a prosperous farmer, stock dealer and breeder. He operated in Missouri and Kansas for two years each, but the greater part of his time has been passed in his native county, where he owns a valuable tract of land. This he placed under a high state of cultivation and in addition to the production of the crops he engaged in raising, selling and trading in stock. Being an excellent judge of live stock he was enabled to make judicious purchases and profitable sales and as the years passed by reason of his careful management and unfaltering diligence in business affairs he acquired a handsome competence. This now enables him to practically life a retired life. He removed to White Hall in 1871.
In 1871 Mr. Griswold was married to Miss Etta Whiteside, a daughter of Levi T. Whiteside, who for many years was a prominent merchant of White Hall. He was born August 4, 1811, and died in 1896, while his wife, who was born in Kentucky in 1814 died in 1903. Mrs. Griswold was educated in White Hall, where she spent the days of her girlhood and youth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Griswold have a wide acquaintance in Greene county and the friendship of many whom they have met is cordially extended them. His political views are in harmony with the principles of the republican party, but he has never been an office seeker, nor has he joined any church or fraternal organization. He has been pre-eminently a business man, progressive and enterprising in his work and through his concentration of effort upon one line of activity he has won the success which now classes him with the substantial citizens of White Hall.